The film daily year book of motion pictures (1928)

Gov't Aiding Industry Abroad THE Department of Commerce at Washington maintains a Motion Picture Section, created in 1926 by a Special Act of Congress, which endeavors to serve the industry in every legitimate way in developing exhibition of American motion pictures in foreign markets. This Section is headed by C. J. North with N. D. Golden as assistant and there is furthermore as special representative of the Department, George R. Canty, who under the title of Trade Commissioner is on behalf of this Section surveying markets of Europe. On July 1, 1927, the Section acquired the services of E. I. Way, whose function is to canvass the opportunities both in this country and abroad for the showing of educational, industrial and other films of a non-entertainment character. The Work of the Section DETAILED information on all phases of the industry covering every important market abroad may be found in the Motion Picture Section. This information is received from the 51 foreign offices of the Department in the chief capitals and commercial centres of the world and also from the more than 400 consular offices of the Department of State stationed abroad. These reports are distributed to the trade through the appropriate associations and also through the trade press. They have been found to be of great assistance in keeping the industry advised of conditions both with reference to activities of competitors and also to increased market possibilities. Examples of this reporting service lie in the publication during 1927 of special bulletins on "The Chinese Motion Picture Market" and ''The Market for Motion Pictures in Central Europe, Italy and Spain," — this latter being based on a first hand survey of Trade Commissioner Canty. Early in 1928, a bulletin on the "Scandinavian Film Market" will be issued based on a special survey trip to this territory by Canty, and further bulletins will be ready at about that time on "The Market for Short Subjects Abroad," compiled by Mr. Golden (to be issued as two bulletins, one on Europe and the other on the rest of the world) and "The Market for Industrial Films Abroad." This latter is compiled by Mr. Way. Other pamphlets will appear later in the year. In cooperation with the Commercial Intelligence Division of the Department, the Motion Picture Section is in a position to furnish lists of producers, distributors and exhibitors in all foreign markets and also lists of theaters-. Through the Division of Foreign Tariffs, it can supply information on tariff treatments and duties on American films into all foreign countries and through the Division of Commercial Laws, information on foreign trade marks, copyright and taxation regulations. The Future of the Motion Picture Section It is hoped that before the close of 1928, the Section will be able to maintain a trade commissioner in the Far East with similar responsibilities and duties as the present commissioner in Europe. The Far East is a field of ever increasing importance for American pictures, and it is highly necessary that a detailed reporting service covering this region be made available to the industry. There is a probability also that a representative will be placed in the Section whose duty will be to render service to manufacturers of equipment, and also additional personnel to handle the greatly increased amount of data requested on the domestic field, and possibly to make special surveys along such domestic lines as the trade may desire. American business men traveling in foreign countries are urged to get in touch with representatives of the Department of Commerce or the Department of State upon their arrival in cities where such representatives are stationed. They are able to render assistance on questions of trade and commerce, and welcome opportunities to place their facilities at the disposal of visiting exporters. These representatives may be reached as follows : i i^l American Legation. Alexandria, Egypt: Ralph B Curren, A. T. C, 3 Place Mohamed Aly, Miens Greece: Harry J Harris. Secretary to Commercial Attache, A Barcelona Spain: James G. Burke, T. C. Fontanella 10, 2° Batavia , Java: Thomas C. Barringer, T. C, Kali Besar, West 3. rZX' ^m"^: Fayette W Allport C,. A., 21 Friedrich Ebertstrasse. Berne Switzerland: Charles E Lyon, C. A., Banque Popularie. BZhav tj'n ^t ^l^^ a C., Edificio del Banco de Colombia. Carrera 8. Bucharest Rumania: Sproull Fouche, Acting C. A., Stranda Regala 21. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Alexander V. Dye. C. A., Room 421, Boston Bank Building. Cairo, Egypt: James F. Hodgson, C. A., Sharia Kasr-el-Nil. Calcutta India: Charles B. Spoiford, T. C. Room 29, Crosvenor House, 21 Old Court House Street Caracas, Venezuela: Halbert E. WatWns, Washington Hotel, Plaza Bolivar mission ey: Gardner Richardson, Acting Commercial Attache, American High Com Copenhagen, Denmark: Harry Sorensen, C. A., Toldbodvey 7 Havana, Cuba: Frederick Todd, C. A.. Horter Building 326.' Obispo 7. The Hague Netherlands: Jesse F. Van Wickel. C. A., 31 Prinsessegracht. Hamburg, Germany: James T. Scott, T. C, 31 Moenckebergstrasse. Helsingfors, Finland: Frederick Lyon. A. T. C, Henriksgatan No. 22 Johannesburg South Africa: Samuel H. Day T. C, 32 Standard Bank Chambers, Commissioner St. Lima Peru: Oliver C Townsend, C. A.. Edificio Italia. Calles de Coca v Jesus Nazareno. London, England: William L. Cooper, C. A., Bush House, Aldwych, W. C. 2 Madrid, Spam: Charles A. Livengood, C. A., 136 Hortaleza Manila, P. I : Wilbur K. Hoyt, A. T. C, 510-512 Masonic Building. Melbourne, Australia: Elmer G. Pauly, T. C, Chancery House 937